FAQs

If you're starting a career in the film industry, it's likely you're going to have questions. Don't worry you are not alone. We have put together these frequently asked questions to help you along the way. If you can't find what you're looking for, then get in touch via the website or the MFJF Facebook group.

Account and Profile FAQ's

If your looking for advice on how to set up your profile or if you are having trouble with your account you may find what you are looking for below. If not then please get in touch with us at info@myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk

I’ve created a My First Job In Film Account, but I haven’t received my account confirmation email.

In the first instance, check your inbox and your spam folder. If it’s still not there, contact us and we can help.

I’ve forgotten my password. Help!

If you can’t remember your password, click the ‘forgotten details?’ button on the sign in page and follow the instructions to reset your password.

Why do you charge a subscription fee?

My First Job In Film is committed to providing you with genuine, good quality opportunities for work in the film industry, along with the best, most up-to-date career advice and CV support. To make sure that you get the very best start in your career, we employ a dedicated and professional team of people who work on your behalf to help you.

Why should I add a photo to my profile?

Adding a photo can add an element of your personality to your profile. But remember that it will accompany job applications, so keep it clean, inoffensive and make sure it represents you in the best possible way.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel your subscription at any time. Simply login to your account and go to the ‘your subscription’ page. Click ‘stop your subscription’. Doing this will stop any future payments being taken, but your profile will remain activated.

How do I delete my account?

You can close your account at any time by deleting it, but if you are a subscriber, you must make sure that you stop your subscription first. To delete your account, simply login and go to the ‘your subscription’ page. Scroll down to the bottom and click ‘close account’. This will remove your profile and all of your details from our system.

Why can’t I upload my showreel?

Your showreel must be a Youtube or Vimeo link and must not be password protected. It should be available for anyone to view.

I can’t upload my CV, help!

CVs and cover letters should be in a PDF format and less than 1MB in size, so please check that the file is the correct format and size before uploading. If you are still having difficulty, get in touch and we will take a look.

I cancelled my membership, but another payment has been taken!

Don’t worry! Use the contact us form to let us know and we’ll look into it for you. You must let us know within 14 days of the payment being taken and any use of your MFJF account will be taken into account.

I’m under 18, can I join My First Job In Film?

You must be aged 18 or over to become a pro member of My First Job In Film. If you don’t meet this criteria, you are still welcome to browse all of the career information on the site and use it to get you started on the right path! If you are a Facebook user, you can also join our secure Facebook group for career advice.

I’ve changed my bank account or card details - how can I make sure my subscription payment is taken from the right account?

If you change your bank account or card details and you pay a subscription, you will need to let us know as soon as possible via the ‘contact us’ form.

Jobs and Application FAQ's

If you have questions about feedback, or if you are looking for updates on your applications, then come and join us in our Facebook group. When you are applying for roles, make sure you utilise all the resources on the website, including the career guides for each area of industry.

Why are most of the jobs you advertise in London?

The majority of jobs that we advertise on our site are based in and around London. This is due to the fact that most companies and major studios are also based in and around London.

I’ve submitted an application, but I haven’t received a confirmation.

You should receive a confirmation email when you submit a job application. It’s a good idea to keep hold of each of these emails to keep track of the jobs that you apply for. If for some reason you haven’t received an email (check your spam!), let us know via the ‘contact us’ form and we can double check that it has been submitted for you.

I want to apply for a job, but there is no ‘Apply’ button.

This generally means that you have either applied for the job already, or that you need to become a Pro member in order to apply for that particular job. You can check your subscription status by logging into your account and visiting the ‘your subscription’ page./p>

Where can I see the status of a job application?

When you apply for a job, make a habit of keeping each confirmation email and keep a record of which cover letter and CV you have submitted. You might also want to copy and paste the job advert for your own records, in case you get invited for interview!

How do I know if I have been successful in a job?

If you are shortlisted or invited for an interview, the employer will contact you directly. We are always in contact with employers throughout the process, so if we have an update we will also post it under the corresponding job post in our secure Facebook group, so make sure you join!

Will I get feedback about my application, even if I am not successful?

We try very hard to get you feedback on your applications, especially when you have been unsuccessful, but we do not always get a response from the employer. The feedback that we ask for is aimed at helping you to improve future applications and understand how you can make your CV or cover letter stand out from the crowd!

If you are applying for anything and everything on the site, there’s a good chance that it’s affecting the quality of your applications and it might be the reason why you aren’t having any luck. Always make sure that you tailor your CV and cover letter to each individual job and why not post your CV in our secure Facebook group so that we can give you some advice and support?

Are you DBS checked?

You only need a Disclosure and Barring Service check if you are working directly with vulnerable groups, including children. If a position that you apply for includes working with these kind of groups, then it is the responsibility of the employer to advise you if DBS check is required and they will often carry out a check for you.

Will employers see all the CV's and cover letters I upload, or just the one I add specifically for the individual application?

An employer will only see the CV and cover letter that you have chosen to attach to that particular application.

I’ve been invited for an interview, but I can’t find the original job details. Where can I view them?

Firstly, well done for getting an interview! Job advert details are not available on the website once the job has closed, so if you haven’t kept a record of your application, drop us a line via the contact us form (insert link) and we’ll look into it for you.

All the information is in my CV, so is it ok to give one word answers to application questions?

NEVER! Your application questions are the first filter recruiters use when assessing your suitability for the role, so make sure to make the most out of your answers. If one of questions is asking if you drive - and you do not have a licence - think about whether this really is a suitable fit.

Why do I need to research the role and the industry before I apply for jobs?

Understanding the film industry and how it all bolts together will significantly increase your chances of finding employment. Time and again we hear that candidates did not understand the role, or the area of industry they had applied for. So give yourself the best possible chance of finding work, get smart and research.

CV FAQ's

For further information on CVs and cover letters, visit our CV Clinic. If you would like to know what an industry CV should like, from the CV you will create at the beginning of your career through to a CV that will land you full time work, please visit our Career Resources.

I have no experience, what should I put on my CV?

First thing to do is visit the CV Clinic and read the CV advice which will take you through the anatomy of a CV. Check out the Example Stage 1 CVs listed under career resources to get a better idea of how to use your previous work experience, or studies, to create your first CV. The come and join the Facebook group, where you can ask MFJF and other new entrants their opinion on your CV.

What should my CV look like?

If you don't know what an industry standard CV looks like, find the career resources section on the website and look through the Stage 1, 2 and 3 examples CVs for each department.

What should my cover letter include?

Read the cover letter advice in the CV Clinic to learn how to use the job spec as your guide. If you are still unsure, get in touch with us via the website or Facebook group.

I have lots of experience working in another industry, how should I present my CV?

Within the CV advice we list how to make your skills transferable from your current experience to the area of industry you are applying to. It's not always going to be a good fit, and in those instances read the career guides to see what you can do to add more skills or experience to your CV.

Why do I need more than one CV?

If you have designs on multipal areas of the industry, you will need different CVs to highlight your aptitudes for each role. If you are interested in the camera department, for example, or working at a production company, you will need very separate CVs. If you are unsure, check out the CV Advice and Resources sections of the website, or get in touch and ask us.

The most commonly asked questions about careers in film.

It can be hard to know where to start in the film business. Its a small industry but incorporates a vast amount of options and career paths. If you can't find the answers you have been looking for on the website or FAQ's, then get in touch with us using info@myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk or join the Facebook group.

I am new to the industry and I don't know where to start my career journey, what should I do?

Check out the career guides in the resources section for your first steps and use the recommended reading section to build on your industry knowledge. Gaining knowledge of the industry will help you make better informed choices about your career path.

Employers ask for experience but how do I attain that first credit or experience?

If you want to work as a member of crew, short films made by members of the industry are a great way to gain experience on a professional shoot. If you are working on a short in a junior capacity you will not be expected to arrive with experience, just a passion for the job and thirst for knowledge. Work experience and internships for the non-production areas of the industry also add career focus to your CV and provide you with those all important references. Again, if you are applying for work experience, they won't expect you to have experience but they will expect you to demonstrate some understanding of the area of industry they represent.

Why should I give up my time for free?

This is entirely your decision and why we recommend working on shorts and taking work experience with reputable, established companies; so you can exchange your time for skills, experience and references. You can also read our blog post "The Value of Work Experience".

I have just graduated, why can't I find a role as an HoD?

Head's of Department have been working in the film industry for a significant amount of time, building up a reputation and body of work that proves they can deliver a project. If you have just finished your A-Levels, BA, or MA, you will not have the professional body of work behind you just yet. Remember, it’s all in the journey, so enjoy your time at junior level, there is a lot to be learnt on the way up.

Do I need a driving licence?

Yes is always the answer to this question. Junior roles in all departments will be the first port of call when errands need to be run or vans need to be driven.

I don't live in London, so I cannot find any opportunities to build up my CV.

It's a common misconception that short films or content is only made in London. Hit Google and check out your local film offices, film networks and film societies. Most areas of the UK have networking events for collaborations, it just takes a few minutes research. Post out your collaboration request using the collaborations board on the MFJF website, as the largest network of new filmmakers in the UK you are bound to find someone to collaborate with.

I want to move to London but need a job first, what can I do?

There are many areas of the UK that are currently thriving, with freelancers relocating to the north of the UK, Bristol and Wales due to the steady stream of work. If you are set on moving to London and believe your current location is putting employers off, consider saving up 6 months rent before you depart and look for work with a London address on your CV.

I live in another country and want to move to London to find work in the UK film industry, what should I do?

This is a real chicken and egg question. You want to work in the UK but you need a job - but to get a job you need to be a resident in the UK. If you have no experience, it is best to gain that low level experience in the country you currently reside in or save up funds before you move to the UK. It is unlikely that an employer, production coordinator or AD will hire a junior member of crew from outside the UK, especially if it is a short term engagement.

What are the stage 1, 2 and 3 career steps?

Check out the About Us section for a detailed response. The stages are in reference to your career journey. Stage one is a CV with no experience, stage 2 a CV with some relevant experience via shorts and internships, stage 3 is a CV strong enough to find regular paying work.

I am currently studying at college/university are there any further steps I can take to help my career?

Furthering your development outside the academic environment is hugely beneficial. That can be working on short films with professional crew, looking for work experience during the holiday months or engaging with societies or organisations that can allow you to present certain skills on your CV.
Being the treasurer for your local or university film society will allow you to add skills to your CV, such as dealing with petty cash, teamwork in bringing an event to fruition and organisation (a requirement for many of the running jobs).

If I don't have a driving licence should I still apply for a runner job thats asks for a driving licence? Couldn't I use public transport?

The reason productions list needing a licence, is because you will either need to drive a hire car or a van. In some cases, usually lower budget productions, they will ask you to have your own car. You will not be able to use public transport to collect and deliver props and many of the major studios are inaccessible without your own car. If you need to be ok location at 5 am, it's unlikely the bus will be running. If for whatever reason you do not have a licence or live in the location the production have specifically requested, then consider whether it is wise to apply. In most cases you should probably divert your time to applying for positions where you can answer yes to all the application questions.

Join ourFacebook Group

For Career Advice, Job Feedback, and CV Support. We are here to help you, so join us on our Facebook group and talk to us!